QuickCheckTools

Quilt batting calculator

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Enter your quilt top size to see how big the batting needs to be, which standard package covers it, and how much to buy from a roll.

Worked example

A 60" × 80" quilt top for longarm quilting (Linda's Electric Quilters' published example):

  1. Add 4" on every side: 60 + 8 = 68" wide, 80 + 8 = 88" long.
  2. Crib (45" × 60") is too small. Twin is 72" × 90", which covers 68" × 88".
  3. Buy a twin package. On a home machine with 2" per side you'd need 64" × 84", still a twin.

Questions

How much bigger should batting be than the quilt top?

At least 4" bigger on every side if a longarm quilter is quilting it, which is 8" added to the width and the length. Many longarmers prefer 6" per side. For quilting on a home machine, 2" per side is usually enough.

What size batting package do I need?

Add the extra to your quilt size and choose the smallest package that covers it either way round. A 60" × 80" quilt needs 68" × 88" for longarm quilting, so a twin package (72" × 90") is enough.

What are the standard batting package sizes?

Crib 45" × 60", twin 72" × 90", full 81" × 96", queen 90" × 108" and king 120" × 120". Exact sizes vary a little between brands, so check the label.

Is a queen batting big enough for a queen quilt?

Often not for longarm quilting. A queen package covers quilts up to about 82" × 100" with 4" per side; a bigger queen-size top needs a king package or batting cut from a roll.

How much batting do I buy from a roll?

If your batting width fits across the roll, buy the batting length. With a 96" roll, a 58" × 66" quilt (66" × 74" of batting) takes 74", which is 2¼ yards.

Can I join batting?

Yes. Butt two pieces together and join them with a wide zigzag or fusible batting tape. The calculator tells you when a quilt is too big for any package or roll width and how many lengths you'd join.

Package sizes from Linda's Electric Quilters and My Favorite Quilt Store; brands vary slightly. In centimetres the package sizes are converted and rounded down, so a package shown as fitting really does.